Chuck



E. FINSEN June 2, 1931.

CHUCK Filed Sept. 26, 1928 Pata-md June 2, 1931 `U'Ni'run STATES EYVIN'D FINSEN, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GLEASON WORKSfOF PATENT OFFICE ROCHESTER, N EW YORK, .A GORFORATION F NEW YORK l y CHUCK Application filed September 26,1928. Serial No. 308,537.

l The subject of the present invention is a chuck such as might be u sed upon a machine tool for holding a work-piece in position.

The primary object of thisinvention is to provide a chuck which will be eliicient, simple in operation and construction, and .of low cost.

A further object of this invention is to proy vide a chuck for use on machines for producing gears which may be employed on such a machine of a universal type capable of cutting gearsof different cone angles and different cone distances. Y e Other objects of the invention willA be apparent hereinafter from the specification and from the recital of the appended claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

v in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a gear generating machine on which-the chucking mechanism of the present invention is employed, parts being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic view 2" ,illustrating the relationship of the parts for actuating the chuck to each other, certain of said parts being'shown in section; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing details of the check valve and its connections with the parts of the fluid system for actuating the chuck.

The present invention is shown as applied to an improved form of gear generating machine of the type described in the patentto James E. Gleason et al. No. 1,660,502 of February 28, 1928, but it will be understood that it is so shown for the purposes of illustration only that its construction, operation and ob- N i ect may be more readily understood and that ""9 it is not in any way to be considered as being limited to use on such a machine only.

The machine shown includes av bed or frame 10 on which is slidably mounted a tool head indicated generally at 11, which carries' a pair 0 of reciprocating tools, one of which is to be seen at 12 in the drawings. The frame 10 is provided at one end with an upright 18 which is provided with ways 14 which form guides for an oscillatory carrier or cradle 15 which is mounted upon the upright 13 and is provided with guide-rails 16 movable in the ways 14 of the upright. Mounted on the cradle 15 is a work head or support 18. Journaled in suitable bearings in this Work head 18 isav sleeve 19'.V Within the sleeve 19 is rotatably mounted. a second sleeve'20 which is provid-v ed with an enlarged innerend 21. The gear blankl Gato be cut is secured to thissecond sleeve 2O against movement relative thereto during cutting as by means of the arbor 22, the draw-rod 23, anda nut, horseshoe washery orl other suitable securing means 24.'

Secured to the sleeve'19 is a bevel gear segment which meshes with a stationary gear segment 26 that is secured to the frame'of the machine. The length of the arm carrying the bevel gear segment 25 will vary with the pitch cone angle of the gear to be out and. the workhead 18 can be secured on the cradle 15 in the angular position required to bring the root surface cfa tooth into the center line of the machine with the segments 25 and 2 6 in mesh by means of bolts 28 which en-- gage in a circular T-slot 29 formed in the upper face of the cradle. As will be readily understood, whenv the cradle 15 is oscillated,y the segment 25 will roll on the segment 26 and thereby rotate the sleeve 19. During the cutting of the teeth on the gear blank, lthe sleeves 19 and 20 are connected together by the elements` of the indexing mechanism which are indicated generally at 30 and which are described more particularly in the patent above referred to. Through this connection, the rotary motion of the sleeve 19 is transmitted to the gear blank G which motion is combined with the movement of the cradle to produce a rolling motion of the blank G relative to the cutting tools 12, whereby teeth may be generated upon the blank.

The present invention relates to chucks and the elements of the particular gear cutting machine illustrated have been described simply that theL application of the invention shown may be more readily understood. The construction and operation of my improved chucking mechanism will now be described.

Secured to the sleeve 20 at its outer end is a cylinder'32 which is secured to the sleeve 20 by means of the nut 33, this nut being ex.

; provided with a sleeveor stem portion seatber 24. l Y

movement relative thereto by means of a nut 37 which is threaded on this reduced end portion and a washer 38 interposed between thenut37 and the outer face of the piston; Preferably, a leather cup or washer 39 is interposed between the washer 38 and the outer face of the piston to prevent leakage 1 of the fluidv used to move the piston, as will be described more particularly hereinafter, along .the side walls of the cy-linderbetween the .piston and the cylinder. The draw rod 23 passes through the, washer 40 which is ing within the sleeve 20 and forming with reference to the headof the washer, a shoulder-seating against the end of the sleeve 20. Thepiston '35 isof cup shape so as to reduce the compass lof the' cylinder 32 and surrounding -thefdraw-rod 23 and interposed between the inner end face ofthe piston and the washerv 40 is aheavy coiled spring 42. As is evi'- de'nt,the spring 42 serves to constantly urge the piston 35 rearwardly in the cylinder 32 thus forcing the vdraw rod` 23 rearwardly in the sleeve 2O.v This spring 42 is made of sii-iiicient strength to move the draw rod to and maintainit normallyvin chucking positi'o'n with thegear .G clamped against ythe arbor 2-2 by the nut or otherretaining mem- .Y During cutting, then, the gear blank G to be generated is securely held against movement-relative to the sleeve 20 -by Imeans of thedra'W-rod 23, the retaining member 24, the piston E35an`d the coil spring 42. `After `the gear Eha-s been cut or when for any other reasonA -it is Vdesired to' take the gear kblank off the machineftherdraw'rod 23 must be moved forwardagain'st the resistance of the spring 42"suiiciently far to permit easy removal lof the-retaining member 24. For this purpose, I

' uiseeaL hydraulic medium, as it has been found ancefof the spring 42 to move the l'drawvrod 23 toreleased position.

Vor frame l0 of the machine at any convenient point is a bracket 5 0 provided withfa pair of arms 5l and 52 between which is pivotally mounted a pump cylinder 53. This pump cylinder 53 is connected at its lower `end through a suitable coupling 54 with a T-coupling 55.

Threaded into the leg of the T-couplin'g 55 is a coupling 56 to which is secured a length of flexible piping 57. The hose 57 is secured at its other end to an elbow 58 which is threaded into a sleeve 59 that is rotatablyV mounted'on the` st-ud V46. The sleeve 59 is drilled at`60 and provided with an annular groove registering with the hole 60 and with the hole 48 drilled in the Ystud 46 so that the fluid lused can flowA from the piping V57 through-the hole 60 drilled in the sleeve 59 into the hole v48 drilled in the stud 46 and thence through the communicating .hole 47 drilled in thel stud 46 into the chamber of the cylinder 32. A pair of cup washers 62 are arranged, as clearly shown in Figure 2,

between the sleeve 59 and the stud 46 to prevent any possible leakage of the fluid along the stud.

The pump cylinder 53 is provided with a piston or plungerf65 which is reciprocable in the pump cylinder. A suitable packing such as the leather cup 66, heldin -position by the cap 68 is provided to prevent leakage of the liquid medium used from the pump cylinder along the piston or plunger 65. be secured in position by screws 69.

The cylinder 32, piping `57, and the pump cylinder ..53 together with the ,necessary connections between these members constitute a substantially closed system filled with a 'sui-table liquid such asoil. EIt will ybeseen, then, that whenthe plunger 65 is depressed in the pumpcylinder'63, the liquid in the pump cylinder will be forced' out of the pump cylinder andthe `liquid will be forced into the chamber of thefcyflincl-er 32 to-orce-the piston 35 :for-ward in that cylinder against the resistance -of the spring .42 and Vrelease the draw rod y'23.l The spring 42 is made of sufficient strength that when the plunger "65 is released, the .liquid will be forced out of the cylinder 32 :and the column of lliquid will again rise'in `the pump cylinder to force the plunger -65 Yto 'its outer position yshown in Figure2.

In ythe embodiment of the invention illustrated, a simple manuallyoperable'means has b'eenprovide-d-or actu'atingfthepunip plunger 65. 'fhisicomprises a l'ever-farmf@ which The cap can.V

ilo

is pivotally mounted upon a stud secured to the frame of the machine and which has a pivotal connection at 71 with the pump plunger 65. A lug 7 2 formed on the lever arm serves to limit movement of the lever arm outwardly by contact with the arm 52 of the pump bracket 50. Because 'the pump plunger 65 is pivoted to the lever arm 7 0 eccentrically of the pivotal mounting' of this lever arm, very little exertion is required on the part of the operator to depress the pump.

plunger and move the draw rod to released position. As long as the pump plunger is depressed, thedraw rod will be held in released position, but when-the operator releases the lever arm 70, the pump cylinder 53A will beagain filled with oil and the plunger and lever arm 7() again moved to their outer positions shown in Figure 2 ready for a subsequent operation.

lVhile a manually operable means has been described for actuating the pump plunger it will b e understood that, if desired, the pump plunge-r might be connected with an automatic control device or directlywith avcam or other means operated by the machine so it can be automatically operated.

Despite the various packings provided to prevent leakage, it is impossible to prevent altogether all leakageV from the system. As the liquid leaks out of the system, the pressure which can be exerted` on the piston 35 by depressing of the plunger 65 will be decreased and if the volume in the system were to fall i below a certainminimum it wouldbe no longer possible to move the draw rod to released position. @ne feature of this invention is the provision of means 'for keeping at all times a working volume of liquid in the system.

The lower arm of the T-coupling 55 is connected with a suitable source of fluid supply by means of the coupling and the flexible piping 76. This connection is controllediby a suitable check valve as the ball check valve 78. Preferably, the hose 7 6 will be connected to the lubricating oil pump of the machine. The lubricating oil pump is constantly pumping oil to the various parts of the machine which require lubrication and there will be a certain pressure in this lubricating oil system. As long as there is a working volume of oil in the chucking system, the check valve 78 will remain closed, but as soon as the volume of oil in the chucking system falls below the working minimum, the pressure of oil in the lubricating system will force the check valve 78 open to refill the chucking system. The check valve 78 will be re-seated when the plunger 65 is depressed and will remain closed until the volume of oil in the system again falls so low that the pressure in the lubricating system reopens it.

Where it is not feasible to connect the chucking system with the lubricating oil system of the machine, it is Within the contemplation of thisinvention to connect the chucking systeml with the cutting oil pump which supplies the. coolant for cutting. In other cases, as where a gravity lubricating system is used, the chucking system may be connected to the oil reservoir in the upper portion of the machine. If the Jforce of gravity is not sufficient to open the check'valve when the volume of fluid in the chuckingV system falls below the working minimum, the effect of gravity may be augmented by moving the lever arm 70 beyond its normal upper position to assist in opening the checkV valve 78 by' suction. In fact, the check valve can be arranged to be opened simply by suction soV that the operator can replenish the chucking system by a simple up stroke of the plunger 65 whenevery he findsthat the volume of liquid in the chucking system has fallen below the working minimum. llhe check valve 78 can,

therefore, be automatically or manually op-r` erated to maintain the necessary working volume of fluid in the chucking system.

The operation of my improved chuck will be understood from the preceding description. It may be briefly summed up here,

' however. The spring 42 acting on the piston 35 serves tomove the drawrrod 23 to and maintain it normally in chucking position.

When it is desired to release the blank, the

lever arm 7 O will be depressed closing'the check valve 78 and forcing the liquid in the pump cylinder 53 out of the pump cylinder into the piping 57 forcing the piston35 forward against the resistance of the spring 42. As soonas the pressure on the lever arm 70 is released, the spring 42 acts to return the piston'35 and draw rod 23 to chucking position, forcing the liquid out of the Vcylinder 32, refilling the pump cylinder 53 and forcing the plunger 65 and lever arm 70 to their outer position. When, for any reason, the amount of fluid in the system falls below a predetermined working minimum, the system will be replenished by opening the check valve 78 which` may be yeiected automatically or manually or through a combination of automatic and manually operable means as previously described.

Because the chucking mechanism is fluid pressure operated in its releasing movement, and because the pump cylinder 53 can be mounted in any desired position on the machine and connected through a flexible hose 'with the chuck cylinder 32, the chuck can 1 be operated regardless of the angular position of adjustment of the blank, so that the present chucking mechanism can be used on a machine for cutting gears of any desired size and is hence capable of more universal 1.1

use than the chucking mechanism described in Patent No. 1,656,625 issued to myself and Schuyler H. Earl ointly on January 17, 1928. VThrough therotatable coupling provided by the sleeve 59 with the stud 46, the

blank can freely partake of the rolling movement required in a gear generating machine of the character` illustrated inl the present drawings without interference with or on the part of the chucking mechanism.

l/Vhile the present inventionhas been described in connection with the machine for generating gears, it is not intended to limit the invention to this use, but it may be employed on` any form of machine tool. In general, it may be said, that while I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, the invention is capable of further modification .and use and that this application is intended to coverany variations, uses, oradaptations of the invention, following, in general, the'principles of the invention and including such .departures from the present disclosure as come withinknown or customary practise in the gear art and as may be applied tothe essential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within` the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims. i Y

Having thus ldescribed my invention, what I .claim is: y

l. Thecombination with a chuck provided with .means for actuating it into chucking position, of fluid pressure operated means for releasing it comprising a piston connected to said chuck, a. cylinder in which said piston is, movable, a pump, piping connecting Asaid pump with said cylinder, said cylinder, piping and pumpconstituting a substantially closed system adapted'to'contain a substantially constant volume of fluid, and means for actuating the pump to forcerthe fluid out of the pump chamber into the rst named cylinder to move the chuck to released position.

32. The combination -with a chuck provided with spring means forfactuating it into chucking position, offluid pressure operated means for releasing it comprising a piston connected to said chuck, a .cylinder in which said piston is movable, a pump cylinder having a plunger reciprocable therein, piping connecting the pump with thelirst named cylinder, said cylinder, piping and pump constituting a substantially closed system containing a substantially constant volume of fluid, whereby when theV plunger is depressed in the pump cylinder `the fluid is forced intothe first named cylinder to move f Jthe chuck to released position .and when the.

plunger is released, the spring returns the chuck to chucking position and, through the fluid, forces theplunger to outer position.

3. The combination with a chuck provided with .spring means for `actuating it into chucking position, of fluid pressure operated means for releasing it comprising va piston connected to said chuck, a cylinder in-which said piston 1s movable, a pivotally gmounted pe1-11Prlieder1wins a plussers-@airframe therein, a lever for reciprocating said plunger pivoted to the plunger and mounted for pivf otal movement about Va center eccentric to its pivotal connection with thel plunger, piping connecting the pump cylinderA with the first named cylinder,`said cylinder, piping and pump constituting a substantially closed system adapted to contain asubstantially constant volume of fluid, whereby when the plunger is depressed in the pump cylinder, the fluid is forced into the lirst named cylinder to move the chuck to released position and when the plunger is released, the spring returnsthe chuck to chucking position ak d, through the fluid, returns the plunger to its o uter position.` v

ll. The combination with a chuck provided with means for actuating it into chucking p osition, a fluid pressure operatedmeans .for releasing it comprising a piston connected to said chuck, ,a cylinder in which said Apiston is movable, a pump cylinder, piping connecting'the pump `cylinder with said :first named cylinder, said cylinder,`piping pump `constituting a substantially Aclosed vsystem adaptedto contain a substantially constant volume of fluid, means for actuating the pump yto force the fluid out of the pump cylinder into the first named cylinder to move the chuck into released position and means operable to admit fluid to said system when the volume of fluid in the system falls ybelen7 a predeterminedminimum.`

5. The combination -with a chuck provided with means for actuating it into chucking position of fluid pressureoperated means for releasing it lfconmrising a piston connected'to said chuck, a cylinder in which .saidpistcn is movable, a'pump cylinder, piping connecting the pump cylinder with said first named cylinder, said cylinder, piping ,and pump ,constituting'a substantially closed system adapted to contain ya substantially constant volume 0f ludlmeans @for actuating the empfand means operable automatically to ,admit fluid to said system when the volume Vof fluid in the` system lfalls below a predeterminedmini'- .6.; The ,combination with a chuck provided with means llor actuating it intochucking posi,tion,of'lluid pressure operated means for releasing it comprising a piston connected to said chuck, a cylinder in which Isaid piston is momble, a pump Cylinder', Piping 0.01.1- necting the pump cylinder with the first named cylinder `on' the said cylinder, piping and pump lconstituting a substantially closed system adapted to contain a substantially constant volume of fluid, means for actuating the pump, and valve controlled means whereby fluid may be yadmittedto the system when the volume of fluid within the system falls below a predetermined minimum.

7. Thecom'bination With a chuck provided with means .feracantins it .into checking P9- sition, of Huid pressure operated means for releasing it comprising a piston connected to said chuck, a cylinder in which saidpiston is movable, a pump cylinder, piping connecting the pump cylinder with the first named cylinder, said cylinder, piping and pump constituting a substantially closed system adapted to contain a substantially constant volume of fluid, means for actuating the pump, and means both manuallyY and automatically operable to admit fluid to said piston when the volume of fluid in said piston falls below a predetermined minimum.

8. The combination with a chuck provided with spring means for actuating it into chucking position, of uid pressure operated means for releasing it comprising a piston connected to said chuck, a cylinder in which said piston is movable, a pump cylinder and having a plunger reciprocable therein, piping connecting the pump cylinder with the iirst named cylinder, said pump cylinder, piping, and first named cylinder constituting a substantially closed system adapted to contain a substantially constant volume of fluid whereby when the plunger is depressed in the pumpcylinder fluid is forced into the first named cylinder to move the chuck to released position and when the plunger is released, the spring returns the chuck to operative position, and through the iiuid, the plunger to outer position, and a valve controlled connection between said system and a source of fiuid supply whereby when the amount of fluid in the system falls below a predetermined minimum, additional fluid may be admitted to. said system.

9. The combination with a chuck provided with spring means for actuating it into chucking position of fluid pressure operated means for releasing it comprising a piston connected to said chuck, a cylinder 1n which said piston is movable, a pivotally mounted pump cylinder having a plunger reciprocable therein, a lever for reciprocating said plunger pivoted to said plunger and mounted for pivotal movement about a center eccentric to its pivotal connection with the plunger, piping connecting the pump cylinder with the first named cylinder, said pump cylinder, piping and the first named cylinder constituting a substantially closed system adapted to contain a substantially constant volume of fluid whereby when the plunger is depressed in the pump cylinder, the fluid is forced into the first named cylinder to move the chuck to released position and when the plunger is releasedv the spring returns the chuck to chucking position, and, through the fluid, moves the plunger to outer position, and a valve controlled connection between said piston and a source of fluid supply on the machine whereby additional fluid ,c

may be admitted to the system when the lvolume of iiuid in the system falls ybelgw a predetermined minimum. Y

l0.` The combinationwitha chuck provided with means foractuating itinto chucking position, of fluid pressure operated means for releasing -it ycomprising a piston] conf nected to said'fchuck, acylinderin which said piston is movable, a pump,pi`ping connecting Ythe'pump to said cylinder, said cylinder, piping, and pump constituting a substantially closed system adapted tocontain a subst-antially constant volume of fluid, and means for actuating the pump.

11. rIhe combination with a chuck provided with means for actuating it into chuck-k ing position, of fluid pressure operated means for releasing it comprising a piston connected to said chuck, a cylinder in which said piston is movable, a pump, piping connecting the pump to said cylinder, said cylinder, piping,

and pump constituting a substantially closed oted to the plunger and mounted for pivotal movement about a center eccentric to its pivotal connection with the plunger and piping connecting the pump cylinder to the first named cylinder, said irst named cylinder,

piping and pump cylinder constituting a substantially closed system adapted to contain a substantially constant volume of fiuid, and valve controlled means for admitting Huid to said system when the volume of fluid iii said system falls below a predetermined minimum.

t 13. The combination with a chuck provided with means for actuating it into chucking position, of iuid pressure operated means for releasi-ng it comprising a piston connected to said chuck, a cylinder in which said piston is movable, a pivotally mounted pump cylinder having a plunger reciprocable therein, a lever for reciprocating said plunger pivoted to the plunger and mounted for pivoted movement about a center eccentric to its pivotal connection with the plunger, flexible piping connected at one end with the pump cylinder and at the other end with a member journaled on the first named cylinder, said member and first named cylinder being provided with openings adapted to register in any position of relative rotation between said member and cylinder, whereby fluid may be. 

